Friday, May 27, 2011

PRSUN Radio chats on the National Puerto Rican Day Parade

PRSUN Radio to chat with parade chairwoman Madelyn Lugo today at 4 p.m. Listen live at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio. If you miss, catch the archived interview.

(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

UPDATE: To listen to interview with parade chairwoman Madelyn Lugo and press guy Javier Gomez:
Listen to internet radio with PRSUN RADIO on Blog Talk Radio

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Three boricua Miss Universe winners to march in PR Parade to raise awareness of child homelessness

The National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. (NPRDP), the not-for-profit cultural organization that produces the annual Parade along Fifth Avenue, and American Airlines, the major carrier celebrating 40 years of service to Puerto Rico, joined forces to support Covenant House, the leading Homeless Youth Shelter and Charitable Organization in the United States.
In celebration of the 16th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade (54th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade since its inception as a local organization), NPRDP and American Airlines, have recruited three Puerto Rican women who have held the Miss Universe title to march in this year's celebration, scheduled for Sunday, June 12th. Marisol Malaret (Miss Universe 1970), Dayanara Torres (1993) and Zuleyka Rivera
(2006) will appear on the American Airlines float and serve as spokespersons for homeless youth issues. American Airlines, Official Airline of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, has committed to raising awareness of the Covenant House by visiting the Manhattan location, bringing donated items to those living there and partnering on fundraising opportunities.

Marisol Malaret, Miss Universe 1970

"Each year, Covenant House serves over 50 thousand at-risk youth in the nation and throughout the hemisphere," said Madelyn Lugo, president of NPRDP. "We are thrilled to partner with American Airlines to ensure that our commitment remains strong, and that Covenant House continues to cover the basic needs of homeless children and safely lead them to independent adulthood."

Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993


"For over 30 years, American Airlines has proudly collaborated with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade to support causes that are important to our customers and align with our corporate values," said Art Torno, American Airlines Vice President - New York. "For the second year in a row, we are expanding our partnership to include a charity whose pioneering work touches the lives of thousands. We are pleased to make Covenant House our 2011 honoree as we recognize its vital role as a sanctuary for youth and children in crisis."

Malaret, the first Puerto Rican woman to hold the Miss Universe title, became a beloved icon in Puerto Rico first as a television host, and then as an entrepreneurial magazine publisher. She devotes her time to many charitable causes, such as public health and homelessness, and it was her work with Covenant House that led to the partnership with American Airlines.

Torres, the third Puerto Rican woman elected Ms. Universe, is an author and an actress and also has a long history of public service. She previously served as a UNICEF Ambassador, and her foundation provides scholarships to children in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006


Rivera, the fifth Puerto Rican woman elected Miss Universe, is an actress who has also served as a spokesperson to raise awareness of many issues, including HIV, Heart Disease, Children's Immunization and the impact of Drunk Driving, among others.

"The National Puerto Rican Day Parade welcomes these role models who have inspired generations to make a contribution and make the world a better place. I invite everyone to join us on June 12th along Fifth Avenue as we hear their messages of hope. It would be our way of saying "gracias/thank you" to these remarkable women," Lugo added.

Founded 38 years ago with the mission to assist homeless children, Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing food, shelter, immediate crisis care, and essential services to homeless, throwaway and runaway kids. The organization operates facilities in 21 cities across the United States, Canada and Central America, including a shelter in New York City that serves over 6,000 youth and children every year (over 400 per day).

In 2010, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and American Airlines launched their first Annual Charity Support Initiative by recruiting Puerto Rican actress Karla Monroig to appear on the American Airlines float, raising awareness of breast cancer and the work of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.


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source: National Puerto Rican Day Parade

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Dancing in Manhattan


@ the Dance Parade
(Photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

I took more than 350 photos at the Dance Parade. Many dance cultures were represented at the parade including Japan, the Native Americans, Bolivia, and Puerto Rico of course. To view more photos, http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel/sets/72157626781323062/.

Friday, May 13, 2011

PRSUN Radio chats with Emmy winning standup comedian Mike Robles

PRSUN Radio chats with standup comedian Mike Robles on Monday from 6:30-7 p.m. Listen live or later at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

For more information about Mike, visit his website at www.mikerobles.com. He is currently promoting his new CD "WEPA!" LIVE! from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City, a comedic journey on his life in the Bronx, on being Puerto Rican/Latino, his relationships and the church. NY lives in Mike. )


UPDATE: TO LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVED INTERVIEW:

Listen to internet radio with PRSUN RADIO on Blog Talk Radio

Monday, May 09, 2011

Featured Photo: Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Queen Krysti Ogando

The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade is Sunday along the Grand Concourse. PRSUN is a sponsor.
(UPDATE: The May 15th Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade has been cancelled due to rain, president Francisco Gonzalez confirmed. New date to be determined.)



(photo of parade queen Krysti Ogando by Fonseca Fotography)

Friday, April 08, 2011

Applications wanted: 2011 College Awards for undergraduate Puerto Rican women

In the mailbox

Dear Friend:

We are currently accepting applications for our 2011 College Awards to be presented at our College Awards Gala Dinner Dance at the Marina Del Rey in The Bronx, on Thursday, August 18, 2011. These awards are granted annually to undergraduate Puerto Rican women selected for their academic excellence and service to the community.

To be eligible, applicants must send a completed 2011 College Award Application Form to our post office box, listed above, by the deadline date of June 5, 2011 and meet all of the following criteria:

1. Currently matriculated as an undergraduate student in an accredited institution of higher education, having earned a minimum of 12 accumulated credits.

2. Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no failing grades.

3. Demonstrate service to the community.

4. Provide an official college transcript.

5. Provide two (2) letters of recommendation from a professor, college advisor, employer or supervisor.

6. Submit a suitable 4" by 6" photo of the applicant for inclusion in our Commemorative Dinner-Dance Journal.

The College Award Committee will review only those applications that comply with all of the above six (6) requirements. The essays of the selected applicants will be included in our Commemorative Dinner-Dance Journal and should be written meticulously.

Applications can be downloaded from our website: www.nylprw.org or requested via phone or email. Thank you for your assistance in publicizing this information to as many eligible students as possible, and feel free to make as many copies of the application form as you deem necessary.

Sincerely,



Edith Padilla, President

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Latinos Account for More Than Half of Nation's Growth in Past Decade

Census 2010: 50.5 Million Hispanics

The 2010 Census counted 50.5 million Hispanics in the United States, making up 16.3% of the total population. The nation's Latino population, which was 35.3 million in 2000, grew 43% over the decade. The Hispanic population also accounted for most of the nation's growth----56%----from 2000 to 2010.
Among children ages 17 and younger, there were 17.1 million Latinos, or 23.1% of this age group, according to an analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. The number of Latino children grew 39% over the decade. In 2000, there were 12.3 million Hispanic children, who were 17.1% of the population under age 18.
Although the numerical growth of the Hispanic population since 2000----more than 15 million----surpassed the totals for the previous two decades, the growth rate of 43% was somewhat slower than previous decades. Growth rates topped 50% in the 1980s (53%) and 1990s (58%).
Geographically, most Hispanics still live in nine states that have large, long-standing Latino communities----Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York and Texas----but the share living in other states has been growing. In 2010, 76% of Latinos lived in these nine states, compared with 81% in 2000 and 86% in 1990. (In 2000, 50% of Hispanics lived in California and Texas alone. In 2010, that share was 46%.) Despite the pattern of dispersion, however, there are more Latinos living in Los Angeles County (4.7 million) than in any state except California and Texas.
The states with the largest percent growth in their Hispanic populations include nine where the Latino population more than doubled, including a swath in the southeast United States----Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina. The Hispanic population also more than doubled in Maryland and South Dakota.
The report includes state rankings and totals for the size, share and percent growth of the overall Hispanic population and the population of Hispanic children under age 18. Also available on the Pew Hispanic Center's website are Excel files containing Hispanic and non-Hispanic population totals in each of the nation's states.
The report, "Hispanics Account for More Than Half of Nation's Growth in the Past Decade," authored by Jeffrey Passel, Senior Demographer, Pew Hispanic Center, D'Vera Cohn, Senior Writer, Pew Research Center, and Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, Pew Hispanic Center, is available at the Pew Hispanic Center's website, www.pewhispanic.org.
The Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center, is a nonpartisan, non-advocacy research organization based in Washington, D.C. and is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

source: Pew Hispanic

Thursday, March 17, 2011

On St. Patrick's Day

(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

I have always been drawn to St. Patrick's Day. I love all the green and the spirit of the Irish on this day. To view more photos of the parade, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel/sets/72157627127185414/with/5536664694/